Although solar jobs get a lot of media attention, they aren’t the only energy-related career option you have. The more you know about the overall landscape of the large multi-sector arena, the easier it will be for you to see where you can contribute your skills and interests.
As you think about your options consider the entire supply chain for the power that’s required by the end users – residents, businesses, industry, commercial, institutions, and government. This entire group of industries is referred to as the Smart Grid.
The transition from the current electric grid to a smart grid is the result of many factors, (the need to update a system built after WWII, computer/network technology that can be applied, new environmental concerns, and a push toward energy efficiency, to name a few) coming together to create a new era of electricity and power.
Experts say that changes in this sector will be more transformative to the way we live and work than the advent of the Internet.
Generating Clean Energy – The push to generate clean energy is stimulating development in a number of areas:
- Solar includes a wide range of technologies that are appropriate for residential installations, commercial systems, and utility-scale operations. Different technologies are developing to meet the specific needs of each market. Design and manufacturing are just as important as sales and installation. Servicing solar arrays is likely to develop as more solar systems are in place.
- Wind is primarily focused on large wind farms, although there is some development occurring in the residential/small scale wind applications as well.
- Tidal and marine power is generated by tapping into the kinetic energy of moving water. Some systems take advantage of the water level changes due to tidal action while other systems generate power from the undulating movement of a body of water. Although this industry doesn’t get as much attention as others, there are companies that focus solely on developing and scaling these technologies.
- Geothermal energy utilizes several different methods to leverage the heat deep within the Earth to heat water or buildings above the surface. Companies focusing on geothermal are going to be concentrated in areas that make it cost effective to gain access to the core.
- Waste-to-energy uses very sophisticated equipment to convert landfill waste and bio waste into energy. Although somewhat controversial, this strategy could help manage landfill waste, a growing problem, while also generating energy.
Utilities
When power is generated through one of the methods above (as well as other petroleum-based methods), it needs to connect with the electric grid that is run by a network of regional and local utilities. The utilities transmit the power to substations and then distribute it to the end users.
Although typically an industry built on long standing traditions and regulations, times are changing! New power sources, technologies, and regulations are requiring this industry to change its ways. This industry is also facing a workforce shortage as the existing workforce is nearing retirement.
Storage
One of the challenges of the clean energy era is that some of the energy sources are intermittent. The sun shines only part of the time. Wind blows at some times more than others. To build a robust clean energy system, we must have reliable, efficient ways to store energy.
Companies are perfecting a number of different technological solutions from utility scale storage units to residential storage batteries. Electric cars are likely to play a role in the storage equation as well.
Consumption Management
Another component of the transition to clean energy sources is the need to be more mindful of the amount of energy we are using in the first place. The more real time feedback we have about our energy use, the more effective conservation efforts can be.
A number of companies, from start ups to multi-national companies, are developing software systems to measure, track, and conserve energy use for homes, commercial buildings, campuses, industrial complexes, institutions, and utilities. If you have a software background you may find a good fit within this industry.
Smart Home and Appliances
As the Smart Grid develops, more and more home, buildings, and appliances will be designed to communicate with the electric grid to determine the current price of electricity, the availability, and other details. Imagine a dishwasher that turns itself on when electricity is inexpensive and abundant. Building heating, cooling, and air filtration systems will be able to manage themselves based on preset parameters, saving the building owner time and money.
Bottom Line:
As time progresses, it’s likely additional industries will spawn from the transformation of the electric grid to a smart grid. We are still in the early stages of this transition, so even if you aren’t able to make a career move right now, do begin learning as much as you can about developments in the Smart Grid. Companies, large and small, will need technical people as well as those with business acumen to be successful.
© Copyright, 2010, Carol McClelland. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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Carol McClelland, PhD, is the author of Green Careers For Dummies and the Founder and Executive Director of Green Career Central, a full-service online resource center dedicated to providing career guidance, coaching, and resources to clarify the ever-evolving world of green career possibilities for professionals, students, and career counselors. For more information, visit Green Career Central.
